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Advice please

2 replies

2018Already · 08/05/2018 18:37

Hi all. I don’t know if anyone here can advise as this seems to be quite an academic-heavy forum. I work in an admin support role and I recently (very recently) moved posts between institutions, but to a similar role. My husband and I made the move for quality of life but i am already desperately missing my old institution and am wondering whether to try and jump back now (into something slightly different and less well paid, but with scope for growth via a different specialism) or hope that experience of working in another institution will stand me in good stead generally. I have a decent breadth of experience in HE admin. I am wondering whether to try and plot a route back now, or to stick it out for 6 months to a year and see what roles are around then. My husband will need to stay in the place we have moved to as he is planning to set up a business and won’t be able to come back with me immediately, so if I did get a post back home I’d have to commute to see him each weekend. I’m just homesick and miserable, and massively regretting the move. The job I’ve moved to is well paid but boring and I’m worried I won’t fit in. I know this is all first world problems but life is short and I don’t want to be bored. Help!

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 08/05/2018 20:20

I don't have direct knowledge, but I do relate to what you say about different institutions. I suppose if it were me I'd think maybe 6 months isn't long enough to be sure, but it depends what's making you feel this way? Is there any scope for taking on some more exciting work, or negotiating with HR to do more that uses the skills you enjoyed before? A colleague of mine ended up with specialist projects by doing this, and she was in admin support.

murmuration · 09/05/2018 18:43

Is it the institute or the role that's the issue? And can you tell if you're just 'missing the familiar' or you really don't like the new place? If you're sure it's wrong for you and you can move somewhere that has progression possbilities, that's reasonable. But if it's unclear whether it's just emotional or a real mismatch, I'd suggest giving it some more time. (How long has it been?)

It might be that you were ready for a change and it's really just the same thing - I'd worry about moving too quickly and looking like you didn't give it a chance. Can you find ways to extend yourself where you are now? I know it must be hard coming into a new place where you have to 'learn the ropes' and so can't make too many suggestions right away. But perhaps in a little bit you could find some difference you could make?

Do you have a line manager that you can approach and say you'd like some more challenge? They might be going light to ease you in...

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